Extraction of Electricity from Water – Modelling and Optimization (Spring 2025)


Water is one of the most abundant and essential resources on Earth, yet in comparison, many of its unique properties have not been fully understood. In recent years, there have been some particularly exciting developments, specifically, demonstrations of the extraction of electricity from water by Roberto Germano and his collaborators, from which the Italian startup company OXHY was founded. With water being one of the most abundant and cleanest resources, this advancement holds hope for a new sustainable energy source, addressing a key challenge of climate change.


This concept is built on work from Gerald Pollack’s group on the fourth phase of water, also known as the Exclusion Zone (EZ). The discovery of a novel phase has helped explain many other phenomena, such as why water density is highest at 4 degrees Celsius. Why is wet sand much firmer than dry sand, allowing us to build sand castles? What force directs rising vapor towards specific positions to form fluffy clouds in the sky? Despite so many findings, most efforts have been experimental.


For this project, our goal is first to study some of the existing theories behind the extraction of electricity. The aim is to formulate a mathematical model for the phenomenon. Following this, we will pose an optimization problem with various costs and constraints, which we will try to solve.

For more information contact Julia Cen (juliacen@iastate.edu)

People:

Pre-requisites: